Water and Frogs

Happy Frog · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2008, 03:10 PM

I'm new to thi shobby and trying to get as much info as I can before starting anything. I could search thru all the post and pribably get the ansers to these questions but that would take al day. So, hopefully some of you aren't tired of answering them.

1. What needs to be done to the water that is used in your setup? I'm sure that straight tap water is a no no.
2. I've read that dart Frogs aren't very good swimmers so what is the max water depth that you should have in the tank?
3. With all the water and heat what's the best way to keep the glass form fogging up?

I have a lot of other questions but this is a start.

Thanks in advance, Jeff

Rainfrog · #2 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 05:11 AM

Im not the expert on frogs by far but I do know afew things.

1. dont use distilled water. frogs need the nutrients they soak in through their skin from water. use purified, filtered or Reverse Osmosis water.

2. Im not sure on depth but be sure you put in alot of things that can help them pull out of the water.

3. Ive hears some people use fans. if you have a small 1/2 inch screen across the top of the front of the tank this should help.

Dekyn · #3 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 01:35 PM

I'm pretty much in the same boat. I've had reptiles for years but just started a dart frog vivarium. I bought a nice one premade because I'm not very handy with plants. Any help with water would be greatly appreciated.

Dryn · #4 (**permalink**) 02-26-2008, 04:02 PM

PDF obsorb everything in their water through their skin, so the idea is to have as pure a water source as possible. If you test rainwater (basically distilled water) it has a neutral ph 7.0 and is very soft, meaning nothing has dissolved in it yet. Hardness raises as things dissolve in the water. Some things can be good, such as nutrients and minerals, but if you don't know what changed the hardness, then don't use that water source. To get pure water, the best way is to use reverse osmosis (bottled or done yourself). I think that PDF do need some nutrients, so using spring water may be the best source.

brettlt · #5 (**permalink**) 02-27-2008, 01:37 PM

There are long threads dedicated to what water to use posted in dart frog forums. I personally use tap water that is treated, just like water for freshwater fish, in my water features. I mist with distilled water.
Others swear by RO water. The main enemy in water is Chlorine and another form that I cannot remember, but it is close to chlorine. By treating the tap water it is safe to use.

Rainfrog · #6 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 04:40 AM

I believe you are thinking of chloramines. Chloramines are common in my local tap water and do not dissipate when you let water sit out like chlorine does. The water must be treated to remove them. If I ever get the frogs I want I will have to buy all my water. There is so much led in my tap water the EPA sent me a letter telling me it was unsafe to drink. my animals get purified spring water.

Dryn · #7 (**permalink**) 02-28-2008, 03:29 PM

If you're curious as to how safe your water is, you can contact your water company and get an analysis from them (mine does it for free), or you can buy a water testing kit at a home depot for ten bucks.

captaincarot · #8 (**permalink**) 03-04-2008, 10:50 AM

RO water won't be good for your frogs unless you remineralise it afterwards. which to be honest is far more hassle than it's worth.
either treat tap water with a dechlorinating agent. this will remove the chlorine and chloramine from it.
or use spring/ mineral water which can be expensive unless you have a nice fresh uncontaminated spring in your garden.

ubstrong · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2008, 09:13 PM

My local exotic pet store ( who really seem to know where it's at) say these little frogs need to sit in the water dish to urinate. Seems to be true since each frog visits the water just to sit in it a dozen times a day. anybody shed any light on this little mystery. they don't swim at all, but a beach on a small shallow water feature should give them all they need

brettlt · #10 (**permalink**) 04-10-2008, 07:47 AM

They do not need a water dish to urinate. I know of many keepers and breeders who do not even provide a body of water for their frogs. As long as the humidity is high, they do not have to have a water feature or dish.

Also, some of them do swim. Many people have seen them do it. I have one Leuc who will dive into water when scared. I had to catch him one time and he was very hard to get out of the water. I have read and talked to people who have seen theirs swim.